News today

[dtrain79]

A couple of comments on the World Cup issue:

1. The red card against Balogun was absolutely a bad call, likely due in part to a wrongly applied VAR procedure (a recurring issue in the event).
2. FIFA's lack of transparency regarding the possibility of the card being addressed was a huge and common FIFA issue.
3. I don't think Trump asking FIFA about the situation (or for a review) was out of bounds. This certainly would have been done by most leaders of other countries more committed to soccer.
4. It's idiotic that Trump made a huge show about the reversal and his role in it. May or may not be true, especially because I think FIFA was inclined to reverse it in connection with a dubious call against the best player for the host in a big game. See #2 for the issue by FIFA, if they'd have announced the evening of that there is a possible review much of the drama would have been different.
5. Despite the massive whining of the Belgium coach, the players clearly took inspiration from sticking it to Trump.
6. Northern Europeans love rules, and cannot handle them being violated. Americans tend to care more about the "just" result. I don't think FIFA cares much about either, just maximum convenience/benefit to FIFA.
7. Belgium threatening to appeal the game if they lost was embarrassing; however, Belgium's play was quite the opposite.

 

[Semi-elite R2R athlete]

Meanwhile the same losers upset by Trump getting a soccer suspension cleared totally supported a Nazi rapist who would help the Dems win the Senate.

Not sure how the serial rapist Platner is your seque to Trump asking about the unjust red care.

lmao. You’re so insane.

 

[Semi-elite R2R athlete]

A couple of comments on the World Cup issue:

1. The red card against Balogun was absolutely a bad call, likely due in part to a wrongly applied VAR procedure (a recurring issue in the event).
2. FIFA's lack of transparency regarding the possibility of the card being addressed was a huge and common FIFA issue.
3. I don't think Trump asking FIFA about the situation (or for a review) was out of bounds. This certainly would have been done by most leaders of other countries more committed to soccer.
4. It's idiotic that Trump made a huge show about the reversal and his role in it. May or may not be true, especially because I think FIFA was inclined to reverse it in connection with a dubious call against the best player for the host in a big game. See #2 for the issue by FIFA, if they'd have announced the evening of that there is a possible review much of the drama would have been different.
5. Despite the massive whining of the Belgium coach, the players clearly took inspiration from sticking it to Trump.
6. Northern Europeans love rules, and cannot handle them being violated. Americans tend to care more about the "just" result. I don't think FIFA cares much about either, just maximum convenience/benefit to FIFA.
7. Belgium threatening to appeal the game if they lost was embarrassing; however, Belgium's play was quite the opposite.

Holy **** a reasonable take.

This is how I imagine most people feel.

Trump inserted himself and made himself the story because he just can’t help himself. Now anyone laughing about it is a Nazi. lmao

 

[dtrain79]

Btw, if I remember correctly, I recently stated here that I oppose (a) Graham Platner and (b) Ken Paxton.

Pretty much the same fella, with some differences in the packaging.

 

[illinimike]

You missed where the Heads of State and other government officials talk with the head of FIFA regularly. You’d be singing a different tune today, as in being silent, had the US actually pulled off the upset. Instead for you, the supposed Trump voter, it’s just Orange Man bad! Trump didn’t provide any bulletin board material for Belgium. What Trump did was fire up the home team by trying to get a player back from a bad call. Bulletin board material is disrespecting comments about the other team. Belgium didn’t need anything extra to beat the USMNT. They just needed to be them and they were.

I know you wouldn't know this, but the US was the betting favorite (by a slim margin) yesterday. And it seemed right based on both teams form at the time.

To say he fired up our team is dumb. Belgium hadn't looked that good all tourney and we hadn't looked that bad. We were unrecognizable. But proceed with your horrible takes.

 

[AzIllini]

Belgium had better coaching, better players, and better team continuity than the US. In retrospect the odds made no sense but betting odds depend on supply and demand and apparently enough Americans were voting with their wallets to make it close. The actual game was not close even with a 1-1 tie in the 1st half.

I am a casual fan but plan to watch the finals to see the 2 best teams play. It looks like it will be 2 European countries, which makes sense because that is where most of these players play when it is not the world cup. Although Argentina is still alive and Columbia just started playing their game today. I love chaos so go Columbia!!

 

[ILisBest]

Name them!

Here are the main ways a US citizen can access non-emergency medical treatment without health insurance. These options focus on affordable, low-cost, or free care for routine, preventive, or chronic needs (not life-threatening emergencies, which ERs must treat regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA).

1. Community Health Centers / Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

• These provide primary care, dental, mental health, and other services on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size (often free or very low-cost for low-income individuals).
• They cannot deny care based on ability to pay or insurance status.

2. Free and Charitable Clinics

• Volunteer-run or nonprofit clinics offering medical, dental, and sometimes pharmacy services at little to no cost.
• Often target uninsured or low-income people.
• Network example: National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) has over 1,400 locations. Search at nafcclinics.org.

3. Hospital Charity Care / Financial Assistance Programs

• Many hospitals (especially nonprofit ones) offer free or discounted care for uninsured patients who meet income criteria.
• Apply through the hospital's financial aid office before or after treatment. They must provide some uncompensated care if they receive federal funding.
• Ask for charity care applications or payment plans.

4. Sliding Fee Scale Programs at Clinics and Providers

• Many public, community, or nonprofit clinics adjust fees based on your income (e.g., discounts up to 100% for very low income).
• Common at FQHCs, rural health clinics, and some local health departments.

5. Urgent Care or Retail/Walk-In Clinics (for Non-Emergencies)

• Suitable for minor illnesses, injuries, or routine issues.
• They often post cash prices upfront and may be cheaper than ERs. Some offer discounts for uninsured patients.
• Examples: CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens clinics, or independent urgent cares.

6. Prescription Assistance

• GoodRx, SingleCare, or similar coupons for significantly discounted cash prices on medications at pharmacies.
• Patient assistance programs (PAPs) from drug manufacturers for free or low-cost brand-name drugs (often income-based).
• TrumpRx.gov or state programs for certain prescriptions.

7. Local Health Department or Public Clinics

• Offer services like vaccinations, screenings, family planning, or basic primary care, often on a sliding scale or free.
• Search your county or city health department website.

8. Specialized Programs by Condition or Population

• Cancer, HIV, or chronic disease programs — Some states or nonprofits provide free screenings/treatment (e.g., via CDC or state health departments).
• Veterans — VA services if eligible.
• Pregnant women/children — May qualify for expanded Medicaid or CHIP even if not otherwise eligible.
• Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) — In rural areas, with sliding scales.

9. Payment Plans, Negotiated Cash Prices, or Crowdfunding

• Negotiate self-pay discounts (often 20-50% off billed rates) by paying cash upfront.
• Many providers offer interest-free payment plans.

10. Check for Eligibility for Coverage (Even If Currently Uninsured)

• Apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA Marketplace plans (subsidies available based on income). Open enrollment or special periods may apply.
• Many uninsured people qualify for free or very low-cost coverage but haven't applied.

 

[ILisBest]

Years ago here, I mentioned a 2 on 2 hoops contest another Trooper and I had against 2 College women's hoopsters, 1 a forward 1 a guard. They were active starters on their college team, Mickey and I were on the NJSP South hoops team, but in our 30's.

We destroyed them in all facets of the game.

My Nephew Chief, was "dating" the 2 sisters, unbeknownst to either girl, for awhile, till discovered and was given the nickname of "pondscum" !

My wife was a state champion tennis player. She has beat me one time out of probably 100+ times playing. I didn't play organized tennis.

 

[ILisBest]

Btw, if I remember correctly, I recently stated here that I oppose (a) Graham Platner and (b) Ken Paxton.

Pretty much the same fella, with some differences in the packaging.

These two are not the only highly flawed characters in our congress. People mostly recognize this as their polling is terrible. Might as well vote for the best policy.

 

[stoneaxe27]

Here are the main ways a US citizen can access non-emergency medical treatment without health insurance. These options focus on affordable, low-cost, or free care for routine, preventive, or chronic needs (not life-threatening emergencies, which ERs must treat regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA).

1. Community Health Centers / Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

• These provide primary care, dental, mental health, and other services on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size (often free or very low-cost for low-income individuals).
• They cannot deny care based on ability to pay or insurance status.

2. Free and Charitable Clinics

• Volunteer-run or nonprofit clinics offering medical, dental, and sometimes pharmacy services at little to no cost.
• Often target uninsured or low-income people.
• Network example: National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) has over 1,400 locations. Search at nafcclinics.org.

3. Hospital Charity Care / Financial Assistance Programs

• Many hospitals (especially nonprofit ones) offer free or discounted care for uninsured patients who meet income criteria.
• Apply through the hospital's financial aid office before or after treatment. They must provide some uncompensated care if they receive federal funding.
• Ask for charity care applications or payment plans.

4. Sliding Fee Scale Programs at Clinics and Providers

• Many public, community, or nonprofit clinics adjust fees based on your income (e.g., discounts up to 100% for very low income).
• Common at FQHCs, rural health clinics, and some local health departments.

5. Urgent Care or Retail/Walk-In Clinics (for Non-Emergencies)

• Suitable for minor illnesses, injuries, or routine issues.
• They often post cash prices upfront and may be cheaper than ERs. Some offer discounts for uninsured patients.
• Examples: CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens clinics, or independent urgent cares.

6. Prescription Assistance

• GoodRx, SingleCare, or similar coupons for significantly discounted cash prices on medications at pharmacies.
• Patient assistance programs (PAPs) from drug manufacturers for free or low-cost brand-name drugs (often income-based).
• TrumpRx.gov or state programs for certain prescriptions.

7. Local Health Department or Public Clinics

• Offer services like vaccinations, screenings, family planning, or basic primary care, often on a sliding scale or free.
• Search your county or city health department website.

8. Specialized Programs by Condition or Population

• Cancer, HIV, or chronic disease programs — Some states or nonprofits provide free screenings/treatment (e.g., via CDC or state health departments).
• Veterans — VA services if eligible.
• Pregnant women/children — May qualify for expanded Medicaid or CHIP even if not otherwise eligible.
• Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) — In rural areas, with sliding scales.

9. Payment Plans, Negotiated Cash Prices, or Crowdfunding

• Negotiate self-pay discounts (often 20-50% off billed rates) by paying cash upfront.
• Many providers offer interest-free payment plans.

10. Check for Eligibility for Coverage (Even If Currently Uninsured)

• Apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or ACA Marketplace plans (subsidies available based on income). Open enrollment or special periods may apply.
• Many uninsured people qualify for free or very low-cost coverage but haven't applied.

Obviously Googled and ridiculous. Make clear that you lack any experience in the field by listing resources that cannot be found except on Google. Also the Google article is dated as it refers to ACA subsidies which were terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill.. Basically, you provide alternate phrasing of free or charity care. Go find it. Hospitals will not treat charity cases. They have to provide emergency care which does not cover chronic or routine illnesses. Walk in or urgent care clinics the most expensive care available.

 

[dtrain79]

These two are not the only highly flawed characters in our congress. People mostly recognize this as their polling is terrible. Might as well vote for the best policy.

You keep justifying a vote for Paxton, I will happily cancel it. Beautiful stuff.

Again, not everyone in Congress is an angel, nor do they need to be. But you participated in nominating a piece of human excrement and deserve the **** spray you are getting.

And btw, I can't think of a single Senator worse than either of these two right now.

 

[AzIllini]

You keep justifying a vote for Paxton, I will happily cancel it. Beautiful stuff.

Again, not everyone in Congress is an angel, nor do they need to be. But you participated in nominating a piece of human excrement and deserve the **** spray you are getting.

And btw, I can't think of a single Senator worse than either of these two right now.

James Talarico

 

[illinimike]

A couple of comments on the World Cup issue:

1. The red card against Balogun was absolutely a bad call, likely due in part to a wrongly applied VAR procedure (a recurring issue in the event).
2. FIFA's lack of transparency regarding the possibility of the card being addressed was a huge and common FIFA issue.
3. I don't think Trump asking FIFA about the situation (or for a review) was out of bounds. This certainly would have been done by most leaders of other countries more committed to soccer.
4. It's idiotic that Trump made a huge show about the reversal and his role in it. May or may not be true, especially because I think FIFA was inclined to reverse it in connection with a dubious call against the best player for the host in a big game. See #2 for the issue by FIFA, if they'd have announced the evening of that there is a possible review much of the drama would have been different.
5. Despite the massive whining of the Belgium coach, the players clearly took inspiration from sticking it to Trump.
6. Northern Europeans love rules, and cannot handle them being violated. Americans tend to care more about the "just" result. I don't think FIFA cares much about either, just maximum convenience/benefit to FIFA.
7. Belgium threatening to appeal the game if they lost was embarrassing; however, Belgium's play was quite the opposite.

So true on number 6, I watched the Norway coach when asked about it and he couldn't believe the long standing rule wouldn't apply. Then I heard a couple more with similar angry reactions. So it's a pretty common thought thread outside the US (and I agree especially in Europe). In fact, many parts of the globe consider it a horrific scandal, be they right or wrong. The loss will make it go away quieter than it otherwise would have.

 

[dtrain79]

James Talarico

You list the reasons how. You don't like him, fine by me. What corruption and personal scandals are on his record?

Again, people like you are the problem with our politics. You seem like a good guy and prefer the right. And yet, you require zero accountability of your own party. Why?

 

[dtrain79]

So true on number 6, I watched the Norway coach when asked about it and he couldn't believe the long standing rule wouldn't apply. Then I heard a couple more with similar angry reactions. So it's a pretty common thought thread outside the US (and I agree especially in Europe). In fact, many parts of the globe consider it a horrific scandal, be they right or wrong. The loss will make it go away quieter than it otherwise would have.

I actually think this attitude is a discredit to Northern Europe. It has many positive things about it, but a slavish devotion to "the rules" with no merit to equity is actually problematic.

It's frankly why Italian/Spanish Fascism and German Fascism were wildly disparate things. None good, but one orders of magnitude worse.

 

[tjfleck6]

Abbott isn’t great either. May as well vote straight D.

 

[AzIllini]

You list the reasons how. You don't like him, fine by me. What corruption and personal scandals are on his record?

Again, people like you are the problem with our politics. You seem like a good guy and prefer the right. And yet, you require zero accountability of your own party. Why?

I don't approve of idiot candidates in either party. However Talarico is wacky, and doesn't belong in a serious Senate. I'm not in Texas but Paxton has to be really bad to be worse than Talarico. Vote your conscience but we have 2 Dems in AZ who claimed to be moderates and once they got elected they are party line voters. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia claimed to be a veteran and a moderate and is neither now that she is elected. Something is in the water with the Dems. I guess we need to learn to say Socialist Democrat when discussing them.

 

[rillaman]

Name them!

Financial Assistance

Denver Health provides financial counseling to those who need it, affordable payment plans and a health insurance enrollment screening service that helps patients understand if they qualify for Colorado Medicaid, discounted health insurance plans or any financial assistance or discount programs...

www.denverhealth.org

This is a local one that I know people use

https://nafcclinics.org/i-dont-have-insurance-how-to-get-the-healthcare-you-need/

Here are directions to find more

 

[bung23]

Good lord. WTH did Slick do here? Small R is wrong about him being the original neocon, but what a thread! Buzz Patterson posting, etc.

There is no way in hell that Slick Willie wrote that. That sounds like some radical libtard using ChatGPT.

 

[dtrain79]

Here’s a nice listing of Ken Paxton’s history. Great choice everyone in the GOP primary!

A couple of these topics you could debate as political issues but all but 2 relate to poor character and/or outright corruption.

Ken Paxton Is No Stranger to Controversy. Here’s a Timeline of Nearly 20 Years of Scandals & Headlines.

We’ve compiled every serious scandal the Texas Attorney General has faced during his political ascendancy.

www.thebarbedwire.com

 

[tjfleck6]

Thank God I had the courage and strength to vote for Trump. Unbelievable abuse not at all in line with JeffTs there is “almost no fraud”.

This should even help with Arizona’s overpopulation problem. Right Rill??

 

[Uncoach]

The good part of this? It really isn't THAT big of a deal. I just want you to know that before you go find Dave Rubin's take on it.

Nah. You're just being hypocritical. This isn't "mixing politics and sports". What politics did the President have to pick up the phone and call? As a matter of fact, what he did was put the US team (you know, the one representing the country) first. You complain about absolutely everything. First you're upset that he hasn't done 100% of the agenda he campaigned on in less than 2 years of a 4 year stint. Then he does something that does put country first and you find a way to complain about that. Maybe you should move to Minnesota. They have tampons in mens restrooms. It looks like you need one.

 

[BigWill]

My wife was a state champion tennis player. She has beat me one time out of probably 100+ times playing. I didn't play organized tennis.

Mary Anne started playing Club level team tennis in NJ after our third Son was born to help herself recover from being pregnant at almost 35.

When we moved to Jupiter Island our compound had a tennis/hoop combination setup. When she would play me, I would just play her left/right hitting near the alleys. She would keep chasing down the balls for a few love sets and then quit, claiming she wanted to cool down with a nice ocean swim.

 

[BigWill]

Obviously Googled and ridiculous. Make clear that you lack any experience in the field by listing resources that cannot be found except on Google. Also the Google article is dated as it refers to ACA subsidies which were terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill.. Basically, you provide alternate phrasing of free or charity care. Go find it. Hospitals will not treat charity cases. They have to provide emergency care which does not cover chronic or routine illnesses. Walk in or urgent care clinics the most expensive care available.

Both of you missed Googling/AI the price reductions available under the Trump Drug pricing reductions !

 

[BigWill]

I actually think this attitude is a discredit to Northern Europe. It has many positive things about it, but a slavish devotion to "the rules" with no merit to equity is actually problematic.

It's frankly why Italian/Spanish Fascism and German Fascism were wildly disparate things. None good, but one orders of magnitude worse.

Some of my Jewish relatives have made the long journeys over 100 years from Russia, to America, to Sweden as fur traders.

 

[Uncoach]

I don't approve of idiot candidates in either party. However Talarico is wacky, and doesn't belong in a serious Senate. I'm not in Texas but Paxton has to be really bad to be worse than Talarico. Vote your conscience but we have 2 Dems in AZ who claimed to be moderates and once they got elected they are party line voters. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia claimed to be a veteran and a moderate and is neither now that she is elected. Something is in the water with the Dems. I guess we need to learn to say Socialist Democrat when discussing them.

The Democratic Party is headed toward straight up communism, which is what DSA actually believes in.

 

[BigWill]

Thank God I had the courage and strength to vote for Trump. Unbelievable abuse not at all in line with JeffTs there is “almost no fraud”.

This should even help with Arizona’s overpopulation problem. Right Rill??

A corresponding drop in sugar laden sodas !

Zona can use water bottled in Maine, Poland Springs. Save Zona water for cattle.

 

[BigWill]

Thank God I had the courage and strength to vote for Trump. Unbelievable abuse not at all in line with JeffTs there is “almost no fraud”.

This should even help with Arizona’s overpopulation problem. Right Rill??

I don't think it took ANY courage or strength to vote for Trump.

Just brains and common sense.

 

[ILisBest]

Here’s a nice listing of Ken Paxton’s history. Great choice everyone in the GOP primary!

A couple of these topics you could debate as political issues but all but 2 relate to poor character and/or outright corruption.

Ken Paxton Is No Stranger to Controversy. Here’s a Timeline of Nearly 20 Years of Scandals & Headlines.

We’ve compiled every serious scandal the Texas Attorney General has faced during his political ascendancy.

www.thebarbedwire.com

His opponent would be in favor of open borders and men in women's sports. I am not here to litigate character. You seem to get very hung up on it.

I am guessing you do not worry about open borders, defunding law enforcement and the type of policy your candidate would help push. You have a wife and daughters. I would think those things would be a priority. That's your call.

 

[illinimike]

Nah. You're just being hypocritical. This isn't "mixing politics and sports". What politics did the President have to pick up the phone and call? As a matter of fact, what he did was put the US team (you know, the one representing the country) first. You complain about absolutely everything. First you're upset that he hasn't done 100% of the agenda he campaigned on in less than 2 years of a 4 year stint. Then he does something that does put country first and you find a way to complain about that. Maybe you should move to Minnesota. They have tampons in mens restrooms. It looks like you need one.

Your tendency to bring tampons randomly into conversation is slightly concerning.

 

[Uncoach]